Because poor Gray can't be the only one doing the chasing in their relationship. OTL, I'm so bad at naming these. The title seems off to me but meh. I hope you guys enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
It was one of her defining features. Straightforwardness as well as boldness were two things she was rather adept at; she was foreign to the concept of beating around the bush. All she knew was that it took too much time and nothing got accomplished. She really couldn't understand what there was to lose anyway. If you wanted to get somewhere in life you had to be bold enough to make a move; it was a motto she lived every day by.
Yet strangely enough it didn't apply to her love life. Erza could easily get a mission done because she didn't waste time in trying to complete it. She would dive into the action when appropriate and voila, she always got results. But when it came to her romantic relationships in general, she tended to beat around the bush with her feelings and that never got her anywhere.
It happened once with Jellal. She was too scared to make a move that she ended up letting him go, which actually wasn't as bad as she originally had thought. She felt relieved in fact, like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders as a large part of her life had finally been dealt with. But even so it made her look as if she was uncharted territory because everyone knew how deep her ties with Jellal were. They thought she was still moving on and that was most likely why no one decided to make their move. She understood their reasonings but that didn't mean she was still incapable of pursuing another relationship. Really if it was anything, she was begging for one.
However because it happened once with Jellal, she wasn't going to let it happen again. Erza had found the one for her, someone who hadn't left her with scars, someone who made her unbelievably happy, and someone who she knew she loved from the bottom of her heart. The only thing was was that she hadn't acted upon these feelings yet. If anything she had found herself a great pastime, something involving a certain bush.
"I'm surprised though Erza. I thought that by now you would've already confessed your love to Gray and you two would be on the way to getting married and having thirty three babies."
Bingo. Mirajane had just hit the jackpot, the nail on the head, and Erza Scarlet didn't know what to do about it.
She looked away in embarrassment, trying to prevent the blush that was soon to cover her cheeks. Damn that Mira. She had always known her too well for her liking. Was she really like an open book to her?
"Don't go denying it Erza. I can read you like an open book remember?"
And that confirmed it. The redhead grumbled to herself in response, still refusing to meet the barmaid's twinkling eyes.
Mira giggled to herself, amused by Erza's antics. Not just anyone could get Titania to act like an embarrassed school girl except well, her. Even though they had an ongoing rivalry when they were young, they were still very close. Mira knew Erza the best, and Erza knew Mira the best, but not as well as Mira knew Erza.
"But really Erza, why haven't you made your move yet? You know that Gray can be pretty slow sometimes," she remarked with a slight giggle.
Erza finally turned to face the takeover mage, deciding to voice her concerns. Mira was like the guild's love doctor. She would have the right advice to give anyone in a loving relationship.
"I don't know Mira. I don't know why I keep shying away from the topic. Maybe because I'm afraid of rejection. Apart from Jellal, I have little to no experience with men but that doesn't really cut it."
Mira nodded, understanding the girl's genuine concern. She couldn't help but feel like the girl was acting silly however. It was as clear as day that the ice mage in question had his eyes trained on one oblivious requip mage. If only she could see it.
"Gray cares for you Erza. Even if you don't get the relationship you want with him, you two will still be friends. That's how strong your bond is," Mira advised before deciding to prompt the girl to do something. It was about time she showed her signature boldness.
"But you better do something quick though Erza. I think Juvia's slowly getting to him." She motioned to the pair who was seated at the edge of the guild hall. Gray, although unresponsive, was seated laxly while the said water mage clung onto his arm as if he was her life line.
That scene was enough however to snap the redhead into her senses when she felt a burning flame of jealousy erupt from the pits of her stomach. She hadn't noticed how close they had gotten; her hands unconsciously balled into fists.
Mira had to restrain herself from squealing when she noticed the girl's reaction. She was burning in jealousy. It was probably even hotter than Natsu's flames.
For an extra push she added, "If you want your man Erza, go get your man."
And with that Titania was off, her scarlet hair billowing behind her as she went on a long awaited quest to claim her man.
Gray was too caught up in his thoughts to do anything about the blue haired mage that was clinging on his arm. He was much too concerned about his treasured redhead of a friend who was looking particularly down that day. It was probably Jellal again, the blue haired bastard, he silently seethed.
It had been weeks since Jellal had left Erza but even so, he could see that her wounds were still in the stage of healing. He watched as she cried to herself when she thought no one was looking and when she was all alone. He watched as she tried to keep up that happy facade for the guild, plastering that fake smile on her face while she enshrouded herself in armor like all those years ago. His fists balled; that's what Fairy Tail was there for. They could remove her armor and stop her from crying but what happened just recently said otherwise.
Because he was still in a state of regrets and over thinking things he didn't notice that the object of his concerns was now storming toward him, full speed ahead with no signs of stopping. The entire guild had parted to let the girl through; she was a girl on a mission. And a woman in love.
"Gray."
That one word snapped him out of his train of thoughts as he looked up in surprise, seeing the redhead looking rather flustered. It was made obvious that Juvia had not let go it seemed, but Gray signalled for her to finally let go to which she reluctantly complied.
He stood up, and sensing her trepidation from the prying eyes suggested to take it outside. As he walked out of the hall with Erza trailing behind him he didn't notice Mira silently cheering in the background with a smug Cana by her side muttering, "Finally."
The cool air of the outside breeze hit them the moment they stepped outside, causing Gray's skin to tingle in delight. He hadn't realised how stuffy it had been in the guild, or maybe it was because Juvia was clinging onto his arm so tightly.
He turned around, finally facing the redhead who had been consuming his thoughts. "What is it Erza?" he asked gently, seeing as though she looked unusually timid. He saw her bite her lip and he couldn't help the curiosity that bubbled from the pits of his stomach. Whatever made Titania act this was certainly a force to be reckoned with.
Erza didn't know what to do now that she had him alone. She had just stormed up to him and took him away, well actually she followed him like a lost puppy which was definitely not how it was supposed to go. She was supposed to do something bold, something daring, something that would easily communicate her feelings for him but now that she was given the chance to, all she really felt like doing was backing out. It was ridiculous really. Why was she acting like this?
"If you want your man, go get your man."
Mira's words ran through her brain, repeating themselves as though they were a broken record. That's right. She was doing all this because she wanted her man, badly. Erza couldn't stand having him interact with other girls without having them know that he was taken. Who knows what would happen.
Repeating Mira's words like a silent mantra her gaze turned into one of determination as she confidently lifted her head up to meet the curious gaze of her ice mage. He watched her with those dark blue eyes of his, and liking the way he was only paying attention to her that moment she felt her confidence skyrocket upwards.
Erza decided that only actions would speak louder than words this time, which explained her next move. Before the ice mage knew it he was pressed up tightly against the requip mage, his lips connected with hers.
She tried her best to convey all her emotions with this one kiss. All the love, care, adoration, frustration and longing, all those emotions that had been driving her crazy lately. His lips had felt cool beneath hers, and she liked the feeling of them. At first she felt him being unresponsive, but she reasoned that he was too shocked to do anything, and surely after few more moments of her dominating she felt him finally respond.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, his shirt now mysteriously gone, and pulled her closer to him, wanting to feel more of her body pressed up against him. His hands played with long strands of scarlet hair that he adored so much as he kept his eyes closed and relished in the fact that the woman of his dreams was actually kissing him.
He never would've thought that this day would come. He never would've thought that the feelings would be mutual. All this time he had been despairing over the fact that he was fighting a losing battle when in fact he had already won.
After a few moments passed with the lovers tightly locked in their intimate embrace they finally broke apart to get some air. As they regained their breaths Erza kept her gaze steady on the ice mage, watching to see his reaction.
"I think that's enough to tell you how I feel," she stated plainly, finally regaining her composure.
Gray looked up, his eyes gleaming with some unprecedented mischief. He stood up to his full height now, towering over her with a roguish grin plastered on his face. "Not really. I'd rather hear you say it actually. Who knows if that kiss was just a one time thing." He shrugged nonchalantly.
Erza scowled, not liking how this was going. She knew he was just joking with her but still. "Fine, if you insist so much then I love you Gray Fullbuster. I don't like you, nor do I like like you. I love you, and I have fallen in love with you. Happy now?"
Gray was surprised at how bluntly she had spoken but he guessed that was to be expected. It was Erza after all.
He grinned widely at her. "I love you too Erza Scarlet. I don't like you, nor do I like like you. I love you, and I have fallen in love with you. Does that answer your question?" He had mimicked her confession but she could still hear the sincerity in his tone. It should've surprised her more when she heard that he had mutual feelings but she guessed she had been expecting it, deep down inside. She wasn't being dense. She was just unsure, that's all.
Her lips curved into a blissful smile, before she grabbed his collar and brought his face down to hers again.
"Now that that's all sorted, I think I deserve another kiss." Her eyes twinkled as she puckered her lips for another lip locking session.
Gray smirked in agreement. "I think you do."
His lips finally descended upon hers, closing the minuscule gap between them. Being bold doesn't hurt after all.